Digital Commons Network^™

Multilevel Intersectionality And The Deployment Of Disability In Schools, Rachel Elizabeth Fish

Education and Child Study: Faculty Publications

Teacher perceptions of and decisions about students’ academic ability and behavior are key to the micro-level production and maintenance of inequality at the intersection of gender, race, and disability in schools, yet we know little about how these micro-level processes relate to meso-level features. Using an experimental survey design of 369 factorial vignettes, I tested for racial and gender differences in 276 teachers’ ratings of referral to begin disability evaluations—what I call the deployment of disability—across 115 Wisconsin schools with varying racial compositions. Findings show that teachers in schools with low proportions of White students were less likely to deploy …

Decreasing Burdensome Transitions In Hospice Care By Increasing Nursing Visits, Kristin S. Rivers

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Burdensome transitions occur when hospice patients discontinue hospice services to seek hospital treatment, often disrupting end-of-life goals and creating distress for patients and caregivers. These transitions continue to rise throughout the country, highlighting the need for strategies to support patients in remaining at home throughout the dying process.

Purpose: This quality improvement project aimed to decrease hospital transitions by increasing nursing visits for hospice patients at high-risk for burdensome transitions.

Project Design: This quality improvement project used a Plan-Do-Study-Act methodology to form and implement an intervention to reduce burdensome transitions. Patients were already identified as low or high-risk …

Cv: Steven Nawara (Political Science), Steven Nawara

Political Science Department Faculty Curricula Vitae

No abstract provided.

Drone Delivery Of Bioweapons: Responsibilities For Force Readiness, James Giordano, Diane Dieuliis

Strategic Forums

This Strategic Forum by Dr. James Giordano and Dr. Diane DiEuliis explores the convergence of drone technology and emerging biotechnologies. This includes synthetic biology, gene editing, and nanoscale biomaterials, and their implications for military readiness and national security. It examines how these dual-use technologies could enable novel delivery methods for biological agents, expanding the threat landscape and lowering technical barriers. The analysis emphasizes the need for proactive defense planning, enhanced detection and countermeasures, and integrated strategies to mitigate risks, ensuring force readiness in the face of evolving biological threats.

Endothelium- And Fibroblast-Derived C-Type Natriuretic Peptide Prevents The Development And Progression Of Aortic Aneurysm, Aisah A. Aubdool, Amie J. Moyes, Cristina Perez-Ternero, Reshma S. Baliga, Jaspinder Singh Sanghera, M. Taaha Syed, Kareemah Jaigirdar, Anmolpreet K. Panesar, Janice C. Tsui, Yanming Li, Hernan G. Vasquez, Ying H. Shen, Scott A. Lemaire, Juliette Raffort, Ziad Mallat, Hong S. Lu, Alan Daugherty, Adrian J. Hobbs

Physiology Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Thoracic (TAA) and abdominal (AAA) aortic aneurysm are life-threatening diseases characterized by dilation, inflammation, and structural weakness; development of pharmacological therapies is desperately needed. CNP (C-type natriuretic peptide) plays a key role in vascular homeostasis, mediating vasodilator, anti-inflammatory, and antiatherogenic actions. Since such processes drive AA, we determined the role of endogenous CNP in offsetting pathogenesis. METHODS: Tissue from patients with AA was analyzed to determine the consequences on CNP signaling. Ascending and suprarenal aortic diameters were assessed at baseline and following Ang II (angiotensin II; 1.44 mg/kg per day) infusion in wild-type, endothelium-restricted (ecCNP^-/-), fibroblast-restricted (fbCNP …

The Evaluation Of Anti-Factor Xa Levels In Hospitalised Patients Receiving Low Molecular Weight Heparin (Lmwh): A Prospective Study, Tandzile Thandwayinkosi Simelane

Master of Medicine in Clinical Pathology

Background 

Patients admitted to the hospital have been reported to have coagulation abnormalities due to various factors including immobilisation, preexisting disease, and current illness. The overall incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in critically ill patients varies from 15% to well over 50%, even with the use of prophylactic measures in most patients. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and unfractionated heparin (UFH) are the recommended drugs for VTE prophylaxis in inpatient care. Although not standardly recommended, the laboratory can offer monitoring of anti-Factor Xa using the gold standard method of chromogenic anti-Factor X assay. The anti-Factor Xa levels are notably affected …

The Use Of Visuals In Preschool Settings To Improve Student Engagement And Student Participation At Group Timet, Lexie Flug

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Engagement are participation in early childhood are essential for social growth and child development. Distractions at group time are a barrier to student engagement and participation. These distractions lead to less instructional time. Research shows higher levels of engagement and participation increase academic success. This inquiry-based research study aims to determine if the visual support of "Give Me 5" increases student engagement and participation at group time. The study utilized a qualitative approach, using classroom observations and teacher questionnaires for a preschool classroom. The findings revealed that implementing visual support at group time increased student participation with a slight increase …

The Importance Of Collaboration Between Teachers And Mental Health Professionals To Support Trauma-Impacted Students, Kimberly Lemonds

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Students impacted by trauma face emotional and behavioral challenges that affect their learning and social development. Collaboration between early childhood educators and mental health professionals is critical to providing effective support, yet this partnership often remains informal and inconsistent. This inquiry-based mixed-methods study explored how such collaboration functions in an early childhood center serving preschool and kindergarten students. Data from surveys and interviews with educators and mental health staff revealed barriers including limited time, unclear roles, and insufficient training. Despite these challenges, participants emphasized the benefits of structured communication, joint professional development, and school-community partnerships. The study highlights the need …

Sel Integration Into The Kindergarten Curriculum, Brooke Kingsley

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This inquiry-based research project investigates the effectiveness and efficiency of integrating social emotional learning (SEL) into the kindergarten curriculum. With a growing number of young learners entering school lacking foundational emotional regulation and social skills, the study examines how explicit SEL instruction can be embedded meaningfully into daily academic routines. The researcher used qualitative methods, including teacher surveys, reflective journaling, literature review, and analysis of classroom behavior artifacts from a rural Iowa school district. Six kindergarten teachers participated in the survey, providing insight into current SEL integration strategies, perceived effectiveness, and common barriers. Results showed that while all teachers integrate …

Project-Based Learning Vs Traditional Teaching Methods, James Kingsley

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This study explored how teachers compare Project-Based Learning (PBL) with traditional teaching methods in elementary classrooms. Many schools today still rely heavily on lectures, worksheets, and test-based instruction, which can leave students feeling disconnected and unmotivated. This research began with the problem that students often lose interest in learning when it feels disconnected from the real world. The purpose of this study was to better understand teacher's perspectives on PBL and whether they believe it increases student engagement, learning, and life skills. Using a mixed-methods survey with both multiple choice and open-ended questions, the study gathered responses from elementary educators …

China-Taliban Security Ties: A Reimagining Of South Asia's Security Discourse, Amit Kumar Mr., Veena Ramachandran

Journal of Strategic Security

This article examines how China constructs a distinct security discourse on terrorism through its engagement with the Taliban in Afghanistan. Moving beyond traditional materialist interpretations of security, the study draws on critical security studies to explore how China uses language, representation, and institutional practices to frame terrorism and project itself as a regional stabilizer. The Taliban’s return to power in 2021 has prompted China to expand its strategic presence in South Asia, particularly through economic diplomacy, intelligence cooperation, and regional multilateral and minilateral forums. Through qualitative discourse analysis of Chinese official statements, white papers, SCO documents, and state media narratives, …

Chronic Illness Education 2025: Dealing Anxiety In Teenage, Aida Mouzoon, Emily Crisan, Emma Saito, Feeda Elahresh, Hussan Ali, Jackson Bennett, Noah Rollison, Shihabaldean Shalabi

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Friends Of The Hilton M. Briggs Library, Summer 2025, Hilton M. Briggs Library

Friends of the Hilton M. Briggs Library Newsletters

Volume 10, Issue 3
Features:
Ben Reifel films opening to the public, thanks to Mary Chilton DAR grant
Dean of the Library
Briggs Library Helps SDSU Faculty Save Big on Publishing Fees
Kott retires from Briggs Library
Two Student Assistant Excellence Awards presented in spring semester

An Exploration Of The Effect Of Covid Restrictions On Maternity Care In Uganda, Hellen Kyakuwaire, Grace Edwards, Ahmed Mohammed Sarki

Journal of Asian Midwives (JAM)

Background: Uganda responded aggressively to the worldwide spread of COVID-19 by imposing a total lockdown, which forbade movement of the whole population, including pregnant women and other vulnerable groups. This phenomenological study explored pregnant women’s experiences during the total lockdown in Uganda and identified factors that influenced the quality of healthcare for pregnant women during the lockdown.
Methods: Thirty-two newly delivered women were selected across a wide geographical area to represent rural and urban areas. The sample was selected from women who had given birth at the selected health facilities from March 18, 2020, to April 30, 2020. …

Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices Of Healthcare Workers Regarding Early Childhood Development: A Mixed-Methods Study At Secondary Care Maternal And Child Care Hospitals In Karachi, Pakistan, Sarosh Hirani, Shelina Bhamani, Hajra Malik, Samira Lakhani, Adeeb Kanji, Khairunnissa Hooda

Journal of Asian Midwives (JAM)

Introduction: Early childhood development (ECD) is a critical period that lays the foundation for a child's future growth and overall well-being. Healthcare settings play a significant role in shaping these developmental outcomes. However, there is limited research evaluating healthcare professionals' knowledge, attitude, and practices on ECD in Pakistan. This study aims to assess the awareness, attitudes, and practices of healthcare providers working in secondary hospitals regarding ECD.
Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach was used. The study initially recruited healthcare workers, including physicians, nurses, trainees, and midwives from two secondary care hospitals. Participants completed the Caregiver Knowledge of Child Development …

Perceptions Of Risky Sexual Behavior Among Female Students: A Qualitative Analysis Of Contributing Factors, Consequences, And Prevention Strategies, Leila Bozorgian, Fatemeh Ansari, Fatemeh Janipour, Solmaz Mohammadi

Journal of Asian Midwives (JAM)

Background: Risky behaviors among young people are a significant concern for societies worldwide, leading to physical and psychosocial damage. Despite efforts to raise awareness about such risky behaviors over the past two decades, their prevalence continues to rise. Therefore, this study aimed to explain perceptions of the prevalence of risky sexual behaviors among female students.
Methods: A qualitative descriptive study using a conventional content analysis approach was conducted from August to mid-September 2024 in Yasoj, Iran. The study participants were selected using purposive sampling. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews conducted with 18 female students. Data collection …

Development And Validation Of Risk Assessment Tools For Hypertensive Disorder In Pregnancy, Vanitha K, Hepsibah Sharmil, Vijayalakshmi Kandasamy

Journal of Asian Midwives (JAM)

Aims and Background: Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) have significant impact on both mothers and newborns leading to complications such as Eclampsia, Preterm delivery, Renal and cardiac problems, Intra Uterine Growth Retardation (IUGR) and Intra Uterine Fetal Death (IUFD). Early screening of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy is essential in the prevention and management of these complications. This research study aims to develop and validate a risk assessment tool for hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.
Materials and methods: A mixed-method research was carried out from December 2023 to December 2024 consisting of two steps. Step one involved the development of …

Research On The Evaluation Of Information Ecological Environment Quality For Online Health Communities, Qingwei Li, Yan Xu, Xueqin Zhao

Journal of Scientific Information Research

[Purpose/significance] To evaluate the information ecological environment quality of online health communities, reveal the problems existing in the information ecological environment quality of online health communities, and put forward specific suggestions, in order to provide reference for the healthy development of online health communities.

[Method/process] Firstly, the evaluation index system of online health community information ecological environment quality was constructed through literature investigation and expert investigation. Secondly, AHP is used to construct the evaluation index hierarchy model of online health community information ecological environment quality and calculate the weight of each index. Finally, the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method is used …

Prevalence And Determinants Of Hearing Loss In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Cross-Sectional Study In A Tertiary Care Center In Saudi Arabia, Redha A. Alrumaih, Amal A. Alshaik, Manal A. Hasan, Layan B. Almulla, Sarah I. Alsamin, Jood K. Alotaibi, Batool A. Alattas, Lojain M. Maawadh

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of hearing loss in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and identify predictive factors associated with its development. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Rheumatology Clinic of King Fahad Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia, between November 2023 and March 2024، involving patients diagnosed with SLE. Demographic data, clinical presentation, laboratory results, and medication history were collected. Pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, and tympanometry were used to assess hearing. Results: Fifty-three patients with SLE were included. The prevalence of hearing loss was 15%, with 87.5% of cases being sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Logistic …

Implementing A Team-Based Approach To Reduce Blood Culture Contamination Rates In The Emergency Department: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Melissa Lockhart

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Blood culture contaminations (BCC) present significant risks to patients, including adverse drug reactions and the exacerbation of antibiotic resistance. BCC can also result in millions of dollars in financial burdens for hospitals due to the need for follow-up testing, treatment complications, and antibiotic stewardship efforts. At this facility, the contamination rate in the emergency department (ED) consistently exceeds the national benchmark of 3%. Contributing factors include high patient turnover and increased nursing workloads, which can lead to shortcuts in essential practices such as hand hygiene and skin disinfection before collection.

Purpose: This project aimed to evaluate whether implementing a …

National Patient Safety Goals: Reducing Health Care Disparities In Adult Patients With Alcohol Misuse, Jolie M. Carpenter

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: An estimated 76 million people worldwide suffer from alcohol use disorder, accounting for almost two million deaths annually. The Joint Commission has made it a requirement to screen all patients admitted to an inpatient facility for health-related social needs, including alcohol use. By doing so, outpatient resources can be provided appropriately.

Purpose: The facility of interest does not currently have a discharge follow-up protocol. The purpose of this project was to implement an evidence-based protocol to follow-up one week after discharge to determine if patients accessed the community resources provided for alcohol use disorder and to determine whether the …

Unsuitable Underlying Cause-Of-Death Statements: Implementation And Evaluation Of A Structured Process For Healthcare Providers Certifying Natural Causes Of Death In An Outpatient Setting, Naida Rutherford

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Accuracy in death certification is crucial for effective public health initiatives. Inaccuracies in unsuitable Underlying Cause-of-Death (UCOD) statements can distort mortality statistics, influence health policy, and impact resource allocation. In South Carolina, changes in the death registration process and the introduction of an unsuitable cause-of-death list highlighted an urgent need for structured training among certifiers to enhance accuracy in death documentation.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to implement a standardized training program for healthcare providers certifying natural causes of death and assessing the impact of reducing the unsuitable underlying cause-of-death inaccuracies in an outpatient hospice setting.

Project …

Implementing A Screening Tool To Increase Palliative Care Referrals For Patients With Metastatic Cancer, Rebecca N. Hegwood

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Palliative care (PC), when prescribed early for patients with metastatic cancer, has proven beneficial to the oncology patient and family by improving quality of life, decreasing stressors, and preventing premature discontinuation of therapy.

Purpose: This Doctor of Nursing quality improvement project aimed to determine if implementing a screening tool for patients newly diagnosed with metastatic cancer would increase PC referrals.

Project Design: The Five Item Palliative Care Screening Tool evaluated patients with a new metastatic cancer diagnosis. Secondary data was used to initiate a PC referral if the patient scored a five or greater on the screening tool. Project …

Implementation Of A Triage Assessment Area To Decrease Left Without Being Seen Rates In The Emergency Department, Margaret Mary T. Steed

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Left without being seen (LWBS) is a concern for emergency departments (EDs) nationwide. LWBS involves patients who sign into the ED and leave prior to being seen by a medical provider. LWBS has been linked to increased wait times in the ED.

Purpose: The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project is to aid with decreasing LWBS rates in a local ED. Many tools aid with decreasing LWBS rates, including nurse-initiated protocols and standardized order sets. Despite available tools, LWBS rates remain elevated at 0.95% for the local ED.

Project Design: The evidence-based DNP quality improvement project …

Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates For Patients Without Insurance, Andrea F. Day

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States (U.S.), ranking as second most prevalent overall. Despite many initiatives, screening rates remain low, especially among clinic patients without insurance. The lack of an evidence-based screening protocol exacerbates these issues and increases the risk of advanced cancer and death. Initial data showed that 0% of patients were screened according to recommended guidelines.

Purpose: The project implemented a standard screening protocol to increase colorectal cancer screening rates in a rural Alabama free clinic for patients ages 45-64 lacking insurance.

Project Design: This quality improvement …

Improving The Detection Of Refractive Errors In First And Third Graders, Tameka J. Bolden

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Vision is a crucial component of the learning process, with academic tasks being heavily dependent on visual acuity. Undetected or diagnosed visual impairments can significantly alter a student’s educational performance and overall development. Currently, in Alabama, kindergarten, second, and fourth grade students are the only students to receive routine vision screenings; therefore, regular screening for visual acuity and eye issues is critical for school health programs. Early screening, diagnosis, and correction of refractive errors prevent permanent visual impairment and support academic success by reducing educational barriers and delayed cognitive impairment.

Purpose: This project aims to improve the early detection …

Influenza And Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Correlating Adult Immunization With Exacerbation Reduction After Implementation Of The Global Initiative For Obstructive Lung Disease Recommendations In A Rural Clinic, Jessica Semyonova

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may experience exacerbations of the disease, leading to disease progression, decreased lung function, increased mortality, and decreased quality of life. However, one of the clinician’s best tools in preventing exacerbations may be the distribution of annual influenza immunizations.

Purpose: This project aimed to determine whether implementing an influenza vaccination protocol would increase influenza vaccination uptake and decrease COPD exacerbation rates.

Project Design: An influenza vaccination protocol was implemented over an eight-week period. During that time, data was gathered and compared to data from the previous year when a vaccination …

Enhancing Patient Outcomes: The Sepsis Navigator Approach, Temeka L. Parker

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Sepsis is the leading cause of hospital mortality, accounting for over $20 billion dollars in total healthcare costs and more than 5 million deaths annually worldwide. The increased burden of sepsis led the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) to institute a quality core measure known as the Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock Management Bundle (SEP-1) as a protocol for sepsis treatment. CMS reports national SEP-1 compliance at 62% and 61% for Alabama. The undisclosed project site reports a much lower SEP-1 compliance average of 49% over six months. Compliance with the SEP-1 bundle improves overall patient outcomes and …

Commit To Sit: Does Purposefully Sitting With Adult Medical-Surgical Patients At A Rural Hospital Impact Patient Satisfaction?, Jolie A. Puckett

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Patient satisfaction surveys encourage patients to provide feedback about their experiences with healthcare organizations, and the surveys also play a critical role in identifying gaps in care that may contribute to patient harm. Effective communication between nurses and patients is crucial for delivering high-quality healthcare; therefore, initiatives to enhance this communication should be explored and implemented.

Purpose: This quality improvement project aimed to evaluate whether sitting with patients improved patient satisfaction scores for a medical-surgical unit within a Northwest Georgia inpatient facility.

Project Design: A pre- and post-design method was utilized to compare patient satisfaction scores before and after …

Utilizing Text Messaging To Increase Annual Mammogram Screening Compliance, Lacey B. Santa Cruz

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Routine mammography can lessen breast cancer deaths, but many patients do not follow the current screening guidelines. Limited access to mammography and insufficient awareness lead to missed screening appointments.

Purpose: The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to improve annual mammogram adherence among women aged 40-74 by implementing an electronic medical record (EMR)-based text reminder system.

Project Design: Secondary patient data was collected from a privately owned, rural family practice clinic. Using the Mobilize-Assess-Plan-Implement-Track (MAP-IT) quality improvement framework, the project implemented a text message reminder intervention through the EMR. Eligible patients received a text reminder …